Self-closing sash for fireproof windows.



No. 7n,527. Patented Oct. 2|, I902.

' c. n. PRUDEN.

SELF CLOSING SASH FOR FIREPBUOF WINDOWS.

(Application filed Feb. 17, 1902.)

(N6 Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE D. PRUDEN, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

SELF -CLOSING S'ASH FOR FIREPROOF WINDOWS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,527, dated October 21, 1902.

Application filed February 17, 1902. Serial No. 94,420. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, CLARENCE D. PRUDEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State'of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Closing Sashes for Fireproof Windows, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for holding windows in open position, but which when subjected to certain tempera- Y ture will cause the window to close; and it consists particularly of the features of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is an inside elevation of a portion of the swinging sash and the cross-piece underneath-the same, showing my attachment arranged in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a section on line saw of Fig. 1. same plan, showing the sash supported in open position. Fig. dis a detail of abracket forming part of my invention. Fig. 5 is a detail of a plate also forming part of the invention, and Fig. dis a detail of a modified form of retaining device. 7

In the drawings, A represents the sash, having suitable pivotal support (not shown) in the framework 2.

B represents a stationary crosspiece, against which the lower rail 3 of the swingsash abuts when in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Secured to the inner side of the rail 3, by means of bolts 4.. passing through the rail, is a bracket 5. Pivoted in the outer end of the bracket by the pin 6 is a bar 7.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, I secure a plate 0 to the top of the cross-piece B by means of a bolt 8 passing through the upper wall of the cross-piece. The end 9 of the plate proj ects beyond the inner edge of the cross-piece, as shown. Secured across the top of the plate 0, preferably by means of solder, isa strip 10. The bar 7 is formed at its pivoted end with a notch 11 to receive the end 9 of the plate 0 and is also formed intermediate of said notch and its free end with a series of notches 12 to receive the strip 10. The bar 7 is formed in its free end with an opening 13 Fig. 3 is a section taken on the In Fig. 6 I showa modified form of retaining device. In this form the destructible means consists of astrip 14 of celluloid held in a groove in the top of the retaining device 0.

In use with the sash held in open position, as shown in Fig. 3, the heat from a fire will melt the retaining-solder of the strip 10 or will burn out the strip 14, as the case may be, to release the lever-arm 7 and allow closing of the sash. The lever projecting inward, as it does, from the bottom of the sash will serve as a weight .to carry the sash to closed position when released.

I claim 1. In a window, the combination with a swing-sash, and a cross-piece below said sash, of a pivoted lever carried by the lower end of said sash, means carried by said cross-piece in position to engage with said lever to hold said sash in open position, and adapted to release said lever when subjected to a. certain temperature, and means carried by said crosspiece in position to engage with said lever to hold said sash in closed position.

2; The combination with a swing-sash, and a cross-piece below the same against which the bottom of said sash abuts when closed, of a lever having pivotal support upon the inner side-of the sash, a device destructible by heat supported upon the top of, said crosspiece and adapted to be engaged by said lever to hold said sash in open position.

3. The combination with a swing-sash, and a cross-piecebelow the same against which said sash abuts when closed, of a lever pivotally supported upon the inner side of said 5. The combination with a swing-sash, and a cross-piece below the same, of a retaining device carried by said cross-piece, destructible engaging means carried by said'device, and a hinged lever carried by said sash, said lever engaging with said retaining device to hold the sash closed,and with said destructible means to hold the sash open.

6. The combination with a swing-sash, and a cross-piece below the same, of a retaining device supported by said cross-piece and projecting beyond the edge thereof, engaging means destructible by heat supported by said retaining device, and a hinged lever-arm carried by said sash, said lever-arm being provided with notches to receive the projecting edge of said retaining device and said destrnctible means, respectively, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 20 in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE D. PRUDEN.

'Witnesses:

H. S. JOHNSON, EMILY EASTMAN. 

